Difference Between Thin Ends Caused by Heat Damage or Different Textures??

[Ediese]

Hey you guys I think in the past month I've gotten a little too heat happy. I flat ironed my hair twice, a week apart, and I just recently got a blowout. I don't even know why I did that because I knew the humidity in St. Croix would cause my hair to revert right away.

Anyway, I took a picture of my hair after it reverted, and my ends look really thin. I'm trying to figure out if my ends look thin because I messed it up with too much heat, or because the stark contrast between my natural hair and the relaxed ends are causing it to look thinner than it really is. What do you guys think? I really don't want to cut my hair, but I might have to get rid of 2".

NOTE: I think it really looks bad because my hair reverted and had a little too much product, but I don't know. What do you guys think?



It doesn't look too bad in this one, but that's after I stretched it.

 

[butterfly_wings]

I think it is just the relaxed ends but in my opinion it would look nicer if you cut about 3 inches off and made it nice and even

 

[Whimsy]

Are you transitioning? Where does the new growth's natural texture start and end? Your ends just seem stringy and in need of a nice trim to me. It'll look healthier.

 

[Sistaslick]

It's hard to say b/c your hair is partially reverted. If this were a pic of your hair completely straight (or in the style you normally wear it in), then I'd say go ahead and even up the hemline and trim the stragglers.

If you trim it in that state, when you straighten it, you may find that it still looks off. Same thing happens when you stretch a relaxer, the new growth at the roots makes a cushion at the base of the scalp that can make ends look more separated/thin/ scraggly. That's why i think it's best to trim after a relaxer, though its tempting to do it before. I'd wash, condition, straighten it, then tighten up the ends. If your ends still look the same, straight- or how you normally wear it daily- then at least 2 inches off the hemline will make a big difference.

Are you transitioning?

 

[loulou82]

I think it's from the new growth reverting back to it's natural state. I experienced the same thing when my press started reverting. How did it look when fully flat ironed? I definitely would not trim in the state that it's in. You may end up with uneven sections.

 

[CenteredGirl]

First let me say your hair is beautiful. Second, to answer your question, I beleive that the relaxed ends contribute to the appearance of thinness. Keep on keeping on. And next time, use Sabino Moisture Block!

 

[lana]

I would do a few mini trims to even it up over the course of two or three months. But ONLY trim it while it's completely straight so that you can see what it will really look like. Don't trim it while some of the hair has reverted or is curly. It looks really healthy and thick but the ends are most likely thin from your relaxer vs. natural hair.

 

[Ediese]

It's hard to say b/c your hair is partially reverted. If this were a pic of your hair completely straight (or in the style you normally wear it in), then I'd say go ahead and even up the hemline and trim the stragglers.

If you trim it in that state, when you straighten it, you may find that it still looks off. Same thing happens when you stretch a relaxer, the new growth at the roots makes a cushion at the base of the scalp that can make ends look more separated/thin/ scraggly. That's why i think it's best to trim after a relaxer, though its tempting to do it before. I'd wash, condition, straighten it, then tighten up the ends. If your ends still look the same, straight- or how you normally wear it daily- then at least 2 inches off the hemline will make a big difference.

Are you transitioning?

Thanks! I always wear weaves as my protective style, or buns when I take out the weave. This is the longest that I've worn my hair since transitioning, and I decided to wear it straight.

I do agree with what you wrote. I think it wouldn't be that smart to cut now because my hair isn't 100% straight. I would hate to be hasty and cut 2-3" when my natural hair is the real culprit. I definitely think that I do need a little trim to clean it up though. I see that you're in Houston, could you recommend anyone? I've been wanting to get a trim.

 

[Ediese]

I think it's from the new growth reverting back to it's natural state. I experienced the same thing when my press started reverting. How did it look when fully flat ironed? I definitely would not trim in the state that it's in. You may end up with uneven sections.

Thanks Loulou. You're absolutely right. I'm not planning to straighten again because I'll be back in my weave when I get back to Houston. When I take it down in December, I'm definitely trimming just to clean it up. I've never been one for blunt ends so I don't think that's necessary.

 

[Ediese]

Thanks you guys!! I'm definitely not going to trim unless it's all straight. When she frist straightened, it did look good but I know since I haven't trimmed in so long I do have to clean it up a little.

 

[Sistaslick]

. I see that you're in Houston, could you recommend anyone? I've been wanting to get a trim.

Girl, you're gonna have to let me know when you find her/him b/c I haven't found anyone here yet. I have my DH do my trims for me.

 

[Paradox]

Same thing happens to me, I've been transitioning for two years
http://picasaweb.google.com/hansfor...photo?authkey=6laDlwuR78M#5149812432246678066
I have a picture attached,
I don't plan on trimming again until December, the last time I trimmed was in February.